This week we travel to the islands of New Zealand to catch up with the world’s fastest dentist, Karel Sabbe. In early 2025 he smashed the supported record on the iconic Te Araroa Trail by taking over 17 days off of the previous time on the 3,000 kilometer route. Tune in as Karel and host Heather Anderson talk about beach running, wild dogs, fording rivers and more on this incredible adventure.
Fastest Known Podcast
Coming to you every Friday: interviews with FKT-setters and other athletes in the world of Fastest Known Times.
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Episodes
Today’s episode takes us to the highest mountain in Japan via a lesser used route. Join host Heather Anderson as she chats with self-professed amateur ultrarunner Simon Pfreundschuh about his self-supported FKT on Mount Fuji. He talks about how this 12,000 vertical ascent (and descent) became his first FKT as well as the ways the Paul Deckret route surprised him. He also offers his tips for planning an FKT while traveling and shares the things he would have done differently.
Tune into today’s episode to hear Bob Stewart chat with host Heather Anderson about his experiences on Pennsylvania’s numerous state trails where he has set many FKTs. They dive into the particulars of his unsupported FKT on the notoriously difficult and remote Tuscarora Trail as well as why Bob enjoys the modality of unsupported more than other categories. Dive in and hear all about rocks, reroutes, and testing out homemade gear on a long FKT attempt. Bob also shares his tips for balancing work, family life, and FKTs.
Recently, Fastest Known Time has approved new guidelines for para-athletes. Athletes who have any “Eligible Impairment” listed by the International Paralympic Committee may submit an FKT by checking the “Para athlete” checkbox on the FKT submission form.
The desert is a unique environment full of extremes. These can lead to high stakes during long adventures. Throw in some canyons and waterfalls and you’ve got the makings and an epic adventure. Tune into today’s show and hear how Nadja Heine set an FKT in Capitol Reef National Park on the 26 mile-long Four Canyon Loop while she was on vacation. Her stout time was set despite not knowing much about the route and admonitions from the park that it couldn’t be done in a day.
Southern California’s Mount San Jacinto rises steeply above the Palm Desert–towering 10,400 feet above Palm Springs. This week, we’re grinding up the incredibly varied, sometimes technical, and always relentless Cactus to Clouds route with Helen Mino Faukner.
Helen shares her experience running not just up the mountain, but all the way back down in just under 8 hours. Along the way she encountered bighorn sheep, icy snow, navigational challenges, and a skeptical ranger.
Join host Heather Anderson in today’s episode to find out more!